Wenger says he has reached decision on Arsenal future

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger follows the game, during the English Premier League soccer match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal, at The Hawthorns, in West Bromwich, England, Saturday March 18, 2017. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP) — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he has reached a decision on whether he will stay at the Premier League club beyond this season, and will announce it publicly "very soon."

The Frenchman says "I know what I will do so you will know very soon. You will see."

Wenger, who has been in his position since 1996, was speaking after Arsenal's 3-1 loss at West Bromwich Albion that kept the team in fifth place — outside the Champions League qualification positions. It was Arsenal's fourth loss in five Premier League games.

The 67-year-old Wenger has previously said he will announce a decision on his future "in March or April."

His contract expires at the end of the season.

Wenger says "we are in a unique bad patch like we've never had in 20 years where we lose game after game at the moment, and that is much more important than my future."